Year-Round Staff

Executive Director, Pat Amsden
“Pastor Pat,” has been Executive Director of the camp since its inception in 1989. He holds a BS degree from Faith Baptist Bible College in Iowa and a MA degree in Christian Education from Talbot Seminary, Biola University, LA Mirada, CA, and graduate work in sociology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.

He has worked as a chaplain in the Los Angeles County Probation Department, served as pastor of two congregations, worked in urban youth ministry and directed wilderness camping programs for “at risk” youth. Pat has served as a treatment level foster parent and has two grown sons of his own.

Cynthia Amsden, Development Director
Cynthia has served as Development Director since 2002 and as a summer time volunteer at camp nearly every year prior to that time. Cynthia has a BS in theology from Faith Baptist Bible College, an MST in Curriculum and Instruction from Drake University, and has also completed post graduate studies in art at Biola University.

Having taught private piano lessons as well as all levels of elementary education including art and music, her specific interest is in curriculum development. She is at home in rural Plano with Ollie, her Border Aussie.

Paige Carroll, Camp Naturalist
Paige has been a volunteer at camp, along with her family, for many years. Professionally, she serves as a Supervising Teacher for the Home School Assistance Program, Davis County Schools. She holds a BS in K-12 physical education, teaching and biology from Southern Baptist University, Bolivar. She has an MS in biology from the Institute in Creation Research, Dallas, TX.

An advocate for Biblical creationism, Paige serves in the summer as the camp “Naturalist”, or as we prefer, “Creationist”, bringing attention to truth which God has revealed through His created universe. Along with her husband, David, she has three grown children and a grandson. Paige and David live on an acreage with llamas, sheep, emus and so much more … and not far from the camp.

Marshall Sandlin, Program Director
Marshal’s family was quite involved in Christian camping with the Primitive Methodist Churches of southwestern WI, where his mother often served as camp nurse. At a fairly young age he became involved with youth ministries in the Dubuque area while completing Biblical studies at Emmaus Bible College.

Experience in the trades, property maintenance, teaching hunting safety, and foster parenting all contributed to the rich background of experiences which he brings to Camp Appanoose. Most recently, Marshall served in the Galena Bible Church as a deacon, during which time he hosted foreign exchange students from a number of countries for the Tri-State Christian Schools and participated in ministry trips to the Dominican Republic. The rich array of experiences which God has given him compliments very well the core values upon which this ministry rests. He is at home on the campground with his cat, Rambo.